Leicester City booked their place in round three of the EFL Cup with a 4-1 win over Championship side Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Islam Slimani scored twice in the space of four second-half minutes, adding to Demarai Gray's well-taken opener 52 minutes in.
Hope was restored for the hosts when Caolan Lavery pulled one back with a fortunate goal, only for Ahmed Musa to power home a fourth for his side at the death.
Relive how the 90 minutes of action unfolded with Sports Mole's live text coverage below.
6.45pmHello and welcome to Sports Mole's live text coverage of the EFL Cup tie between Championship club Sheffield United and Premier League side Leicester City at Bramall Lane. Both teams returned to winning ways at the weekend and head into this match full of confidence, with a place in the third round of the competition up for grabs for the victors.
6.47pmA cup run will likely be high up on the list of Craig Shakespeare's priorities this season, as City no longer have European football to contend with. As for the hosts, they have been tipped as potential dark horses for promotion from the second tier, having only earned promotion from League One a few months back. This is one of the tastier ties of the round, so fingers crossed for an entertaining 90 minutes - or potentially more!
6.49pmLEICESTER CITY TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Hamer, Amartey, Maguire, Fuchs, Chilwell, Musa, Ndidi, King, Gray, Ulloa, Slimani
SUBS: Jakupovic, Knight, Mendy, Mahrez, Albrighton, Vardy, Okazaki
6.51pmLeicester boss Shakespeare has made eight changes to the side that rather comfortable saw off Brighton at the weekend. Among those to retain his place in the side is Harry Maguire, joined in the heart of defence this evening by Christian Fuchs, while fringe player Ben Chilwell comes in at left-back and Daniel Amartey is used on the right. Rather makeshift, but it could still be enough to get the job done.
6.53pmBen Hamer is used between the sticks and Eldin Jakupovic in reserve, as he is made to wait for his Leicester debut. Plenty of fringe players being given a chance to impress tonight, including Leonardo Ulloa and Islam Slimani, who will likely start in a front two, while Demarai Gray is tasked with providing support from out on the left. It is a similar case further back in midfield, too, where club veteran Andy King is joined by Ahmed Musa and Wilfred Ndidi.
6.55pmShakespeare has a quintet of players out injured for this one, including club captain Wes Morgan, Chelsea-linked midfielder Danny Drinkwater, summer signings Kelechi Iheanacho and Vicente Iborra, as well as central defender Robert Huth. There is a place in the squad for striker Jamie Vardy, though, just a few days on from hobbling off against Brighton with what initially looked to be a nasty ankle injury.
6.57pmSHEFFIELD UNITED TEAM NEWS!
STARTING XI: Eastwood, Baldock, O'Connell, Lundstram, Wright, Freeman, Lavery, Lafferty, Evans, Brooks, Carruthers
SUBS: Blackman, Stevens, Basham, Thomas, Sharp, Coutts, Duffy
6.59pmThe home side also make eight changes from their last outing - a 1-0 win over local rivals Barnsley. The headline news is that Ched Evans makes his second full debut for the Blades, four years after his last start for the club - a fair bit has happened in-between, as you will probably have read about! The other big news is that George Baldock also comes in for his debut, having been injured since joining from MK Dons.
7.01pmEvans fills in for Leon Clarke, who sits this one out due to the red card picked up against Barnsley at the weekend - United decided against contesting it, fearing that they were on to a loser. David Brooks and Samir Carruthers were both pushing for starts, meanwhile, and both have been given the nod by manager Chris Wilder as he heavily rotates during this busy late-August week.
7.03pmLeicester City and Sheffield United make eight changes apiece from their last outings - victories over Brighton & Hove Albion and Barnsley respectively. Harry Maguire, Christian Fuchs and Wilfred Ndidi are the Foxes' three survivors, while the Blades bring in Ched Evans for his first start since rejoining from Chesterfield and do likewise for George Baldock, formerly of MK Dons.
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7.05pmUnited managed to get their league campaign back on track at the weekend, then, thanks to that narrow win over the Tykes. It came at a cost due to that Leon Clarke dismissal, but Wilder was always going to rotate his side tonight and Wales international Evans is the man to benefit from that - a player who is desperate to make his make at this level following a long time away. Billy Sharp scored the winner in that clash, and he is among the matchday 18 today.
7.07pmThat Sharp winner gave United their first victory since the opening day of the season - also a 1-0 victory, also thanks to Sharp's instincts in front of goal, this time over Brentford. Sharp is also looking to make an impression in the second tier, having torn up League One last term in what was a memorable campaign for the Blades, as they finally battled their way back up by finishing top of the pile.
7.09pmIn-between those wins over Brentford and Barnsley, United also suffered successive away defeats to Middlesbrough and Cardiff City. No shame in going down to two sides who will likely be battling for promotion this term, though as Wilder eluded to last week his side need to show more grit in those tough away matches - the odd point here and there could be the difference between a bottom half finish and top.
7.11pmUnited are a different beast entirely on home soil, though, winning three times here already this term - overcoming Walsall in the previous round of the cup to add to the wins over Brentford and Barnsley - to make it 10 in a row stretching back into 2016-17. They have also kept six clean sheets during that run, so they will certainly be no pushovers this evening, even if Wilder has made mass changes to his personnel.
7.13pmDID YOU KNOW? While Sheffield United boast a formidable home record thanks to those 10-successive victories, it is a different story for Leicester City when it comes to away matches. The Foxes have won just four times on their travels in all competitions since August 2016, picking up a rather dismal total of 10 points from a possible 57 in the Premier League last season - the fourth-worst tally in the division.
7.15pmThe Blades are still the underdogs this evening, however, and it will take a huge effort for them to overcome a side still oozing plenty of Premier League quality. United head into this match sitting 10th in the table after, on the balance of things, enjoying a positive start to the campaign. Some backed them for a promotion push in pre-season, particularly after such a good set of results in the summer months, but staying up will be the first target.
7.17pmWilder's men kept their momentum from last season ticking over into pre-season and then the start of this campaign with that home win over the Bees. There was also a 3-2 triumph over Walsall in round two of the EFL Cup, battling from a goal down to edge a five-goal thriller and ultimately being rewarded with this tasty fixture against the one-time Premier League champions (even now, more than a year on, it still sounds strange saying that!).
7.19pmUnited have won four of their last six EFL Cup ties against Premier League opposition at Bramall Lane; Arsenal the only side to beat them during that time, coming out on top here in October 2007. The Foxes have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 matches in this competition, meanwhile - a 4-0 triumph over Torquay United five years ago. Far from a clear-cut outcome tonight, then, in a match that could well go the distance.
7.21pmIt goes without saying that the Championship takes priority for Wilder, however, as will be the case with pretty much all managers in this early stage of the competition. Should they overcome this hurdle, though, and get a favourable tie in Thursday morning's draw, supporters then have every right to demand stronger sides fielded. As for the here and now, United take on Derby County next weekend before a two-week international break; then come Sunderland and Bolton Wanderers.
7.23pmChris Wilder, pictured here after winning the Manager of the Month award for April, has worked wonders since taking charge of Sheffield United. The Blades are now back in the second tier and have started the campaign positively enough, winning both of their home league fixtures to make up for the disappointment of falling to defeats away to Middlesbrough and Cardiff City.
7.25pmPREVIOUS MEETINGS! This is the first EFL Cup tie between these two sides since October 1969, when Leicester City ran out 2-0 winners at Filbert Street in the fourth round. Andy King scored the winning goal when they last faced off - a 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane in a Championship fixture six years ago. The Foxes are unbeaten against Sheffield United in four meetings dating back to 2008.
7.27pmLike their opponents, Leicester bounced back from disappointment at the weekend thanks to that aforementioned 2-0 win over Brighton. That came on the back of a 4-3 loss against Arsenal on the opening day - a hugely unfortunate result based on the 90 minutes, having done well to recover from a goal down to lead heading into the final 10 minutes at the Emirates Stadium. There were positives to take from that one, though, and they put the lessons learned to good use last time out.
7.29pmCity have looked more like the title-winning side of 2015-16, rather than the class of 16-17, over the first two weeks of the season. Unfortunately for them, though, they have been dealt a difficult hand in terms of their opening fixtures as they face a trip to early pacesetters Manchester United next weekend before playing host to champions Chelsea immediately after the two-week international break.
7.31pmSaturday evening's trip to Old Trafford could be particularly tough for Shakespeare's men, having twice been outclassed by the Red Devils last season when falling to 4-1 and 3-0 defeats. September also sees them take on potential title challengers Liverpool, but they do have some friendlier-looking fixtures ahead as they take on Huddersfield Town, Bournemouth, West Bromwich Albion and Swansea before the end of October.
7.33pmLeicester do not have any European football to look forward to this season, of course, having finished well off the pace last time out, but supporters are quietly hopeful that they can challenge for a place in the top six this time around. That will be an almighty ask, albeit with odds more favourable than the 5,000/1 you could have got on them winning the title a little over a year ago. Anything, as they say, is possible!
7.35pmLeicester face a battle to keep hold of two of their title-winning players, however, as Drinkwater and Mahrez have both been heavily linked with moves away. It is more clear-cut in Mahrez's case - he is wanted by Roma, who have already had a number of bids knocked back by the Foxes. City reportedly value him at £50m and nothing less, refusing to budge no matter how much the Italian club offer below that mark.
7.37pmDrinkwater, reportedly wanted by Chelsea, is in a similar situation as Leicester value him far higher than his potential suitors. Credit to Mahrez, though, because he produced a stellar display against Albion at the weekend, creating the opener for Shinji Okazaki and proving a real nuisance all afternoon long. Shakespeare described that display from his side as "professional" - more of the same is no doubt the Englishman's wish this evening.
7.39pmWith kickoff at Bramall Lane now a little over five minutes away, let us check out some pre-match thoughts from both camps.
Chris Wilder: "It's been an unbelievable couple of years for [Leicester]. "It's a similar sized club really. Leicester City and Sheffield United have quite a lot of comparisons, being working-class clubs. Obviously they've had a big influence financially from abroad and they had an unbelievable season that will go down in the history of the Premier League.
"Their squad has improved beyond recognition from three or four years ago so whatever team they put out, I should imagine they'll be making changes. We are too because we've got a massive game on Saturday, so there are opportunities for Leicester City players to impress before the Manchester United game and certainly from our point of view, boys will be given the opportunity to stake a claim for the game against Derby."
Craig Shakespeare: "I've read the speculation the same as you but until we get the bids accepted, there's no difference for me. We carry on with them. All the time we're talking about the speculation. We'll carry on as normal until I'm told otherwise. I've said that your worst fear is that an acceptable bid comes in but, if it does, we have to deal with it.
"Until it does, we have no decision to make. We have to be aware that the window goes to the end. We have to be aware of every scenario. It could work the other way, that we're in for a player and it isn't accepted until three, two, one day before. We always have conversations in the recruitment department. We're always aware of the what-ifs."
7.41pmWilder making a comparison between his side and Leicester, rightly pointing out that the Foxes also spent some time in League One not so long ago. The Foxes' incredible title run in 2015-16 has set new boundaries for clubs like the Blades, who can now look forward and wonder 'what if?'. That is a question on Shakespeare's mind, incidentally, as he fears losing he likes of Mahrez and Drinkwater to a rival club over these next nine days.
7.43pmBoth sets of players have now made their way out on to the field of play. Sheffield United have a pretty formidable record at Bramall Lane, winning each of their last 10 matches here, while Leicester City's away record over the past 12 months is pretty shocking - four wins in 12 months on their travels in all competitions. The Foxes are still strong favourites tonight, though, as they look to book a place in the third round of the EFL Cup.
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1 minKICKOFF! We are up and running in Sheffield for this second-round tie in the EFL Cup. Ulloa won an early ball up high, allowing Musa to cut inside from out on the right and shoot wide of the target from around 20 yards out.
3 minYELLOW CARD! Daniel Lafferty with a really strong challenge on Harry Maguire inside the opening few minutes, which has left the ex-Blade down on the ground. Seems to be in a fair bit of discomfort and will need some treatment before continuing.
5 minMaguire has managed to shake off that injury and is right back into the thick of it, winning a header to clear his lines. The former Sheffield United defender has made a really positive start to life at the King Power Stadium.
7 minLeicester just about the side on the front foot in these early stages. Musa had that one wayward shot inside the opening minute or so, but since then a lot of the game has been played in the middle of the Bramall Lane park.
9 minGray goes flying down the left wing and was sent into touch by Freeman, but the referee surprisingly waved away his appeals for a free kick. The wideman did slightly overhit the ball which may have impacted on the official's decision.
11 minAn absolute shocker from Musa, as he is played into acres of space down the right-hand side yet sends his cross behind for a goal kick. The Foxes certainly the side on top now, without doing a great deal with the ball in the attacking third.
13 minSHOT! First real opening of the evening falls Musa's way, as he gets on the end of Slimani's pass but picks out the side-netting from inside the box. Not the easiest of chances but probably should have tested Jake Eastwood from there.
15 minSAVE! United's turn to have an attempt, with Samir Carruthers's shot calling Ben Hamer into action for the first time. The 30-yard drive was right down the middle, though, making it easy for the City stopper to keep it out.
17 minLeicester winger Demarai Gray gets in around the back but can only pick out opposition keeper Jake Eastwood with his cross. Fairly open game at Bramall Lane over the past five minutes or so, with both teams having attempts.
19 minSAVE! Leicester having plenty of joy down the flanks, making the most of their opponents' wing-back system. Caolan Lavery smartly heads a long pass into the box of Evans, but the ball did not fall kindly and his looped attempt was easily caught by Hamer.
21 minRoute one it may have been, but that punt forward and knockdown for Evans was just about the best attacking move of the match so far - shame about the finish. Leicester win a corner and Maguire is unhappy after seeing his shirt pulled.
23 minYELLOW CARD! Positive run from Davis Brooks, whose charge down the left-hand side is halted by an Ahmed Musa foul. The referee rightly books the Leicester man, evening up the card count here following Lafferty's earlier caution.
25 minSAVE! Heart in mouth moment for Hamer, who just about kept out David Brooks's effort from 25 yards out. The United midfielder's first touch set him up nicely to cut inside and, once doing so, he put his foot through the ball. Another cross comes in and Lavery heads it over the target.
27 minYELLOW CARD! The card count is beginning to rack up here, as Islam Slimani becomes the third player to see a yellow card in the opening third of the match. The forward let the ball run away from him and followed through with his challenge.
29 minIt has been a fairly lively contest at Bramall Lane so far. Not a lot between the two sides, with both creating chances but being unable to find a way through on goal. Lavery nearly slotted through but the pass had a little too much on it.
31 minMusa and Slimani have seen a fair bit of the ball this evening, but neither have shown enough quality to make it count. Leicester now the side back in control of possession following a fairly dominant spell from home side United.
33 minFour attempts apiece with 33 minutes on the clock - three of those on target for the home side. This is a tough one to call, but you have to remember that Leicester have the likes of Mahrez and Vardy among their back-up options.
35 minSlimani, not for the first time today, drops deep in an attempt to keep the ball ticking over. It is worked to full-back Chilwell, who fancies the shot but sends it a fair distance wide of Eastwood's target from around 30 yards out.
37 minMusa is starting to make more of an impact on the game down the right, as he this time spots the equally lively Slimani in the middle. The shot is blocked and, when it finds its way back at Musa's feet, the offside flag goes up to his frustration.
39 minSAVE! A better attempt from Ben Chilwell on this occasion, moments after blasting well wide of goal, as he aims to pick out the bottom corner of the net. Eastwood did well to get down to his right and push the ball aside to safety.
41 minUnited having to put in a real shift at the back at the moment as Leicester really start to turn the screw. A corner is won and for the second time today Maguire is unhappy to have his shirt pulled, though on this occasion he was doing likewise to O'Connell.
43 minLeicester win a third corner, which comes to little, and then a fourth. From the latest set piece the ball is worked to Ndidi, who blasts over. The referee spotted a deflection so a fifth corner to arrive before the half-time interval.
45 minThat fifth corner was the best of the lot, dropping nicely for Slimani to head towards goal. The Algeria international failed to find the target, though, and another half-chance goes begging for the Premier League visitors.
45+2 minHALF TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-0 LEICESTER CITY
8.34pmSlimani with a late challenge on Wright, which the home fans believe was worthy of a second yellow card. A small shout, perhaps, but the referee got it right by giving the Algerian striker a little talking to. We go into the break all square at 0-0.
8.37pmIn the first meeting between these two sides in this competition since 1969, they largely cancelled each other out in a fairly lively first half. Ahmed Musa and Islam Slimani, two of a combined 16 changes made by both sides, linked up 13 minutes in for the former to fire into the side-netting from a promising position. Samir Carruthers called Ben Hamer into action soon after, but his shot lacked any real precision and was easily dealt with by the Leicester stopper.
8.40pmUnited's best chance of the opening 45 minutes fell the way of Ched Evans who, on his first start for the club in five years after rejoining in the summer, could not quite loop his headed attempt over Hamer following a smart Caolan Lavery knockdown. Lavery had a go himself before the half was out, heading over from a left-sided cross, while David Brooks's effort from 25 yards out very nearly crept under the visiting keeper.
8.43pmMomentum swung back in the Foxes' favour in the closing 10 minutes of the first half but, a long-range shot from Ben Chilwell aside, Jake Eastwood had very little to do between the sticks. Nothing between the teams at this point, then, so could we see Shakespeare turn to Vardy or Mahrez at the break? He is keen to give the former a run-out tonight so that would not at all be surprising.
SHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS: Blackman, Stevens, Basham, Thomas, Sharp, Coutts, Duffy
LEICESTER CITY SUB: Jakupovic, Knight, Mendy, Mahrez, Albrighton, Vardy, Okazaki
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46 minRESTART! We are back under way at Bramall Lane, where neither Craig Shakespeare or Chris Wilder has made a change at the break. Six other round-two ties remain goalless at the midway point, so we are not alone in that sense!
48 minUnited quick out of the blocks in the second half, but a free kick is given away when in possession and Leicester are given a chance to regather. The Foxes just having to find their feet, though the longer it stays like this the more chance there is of seeing Vardy.
50 minSAVE! Leicester fail to clear their lines and United striker Lavery blasts a shot straight at Hamer from seven yards out. Fuchs the man at fault on this occasion, as the Foxes struggle to get out of their own half of the field.
52 minGOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-1 LEICESTER CITY (DEMARAI GRAY)
53 minLeicester have been second best since the restart but they find themselves a goal down in this second-round tie. Brooks had a shot saved at one end and then City countered, culminating in Gray taking it past a couple of players and tucking through Eastwood's legs.
55 minYELLOW CARD! John Lundstram becomes the latest player to be shown a caution after challenging Ndidi, to the dismay of the home supporters - they thought it was a clean attempt to win the ball. Good atmosphere at Bramall Lane now.
57 minSAVE! The corner is played short and, a few pass later, is at the feet of Brooks on the edge of the area. Yet again, though, his shot is right down the middle and Hamer barely has to break strike to keep his side in front.
59 minA slight edge to the game now thanks to that Leicester opener, coming slightly against the run of play. It is the Foxes who have seen more of the ball over the past couple of minutes, but there is nothing on for them as United stand firm.
61 minLeicester attacker Ahmed Musa so nearly through on goal, but he cannot get the ball out of his feet when it flies into his path from deep. An hour of the match now played but neither manager has budged in terms of alterations.
63 minSHEFFIELD UNITED SUB! Sharp, the scorer of both United's league goals this season, has been introduced in place of Ched Evans. The departing Welshman had just the one chance, which he failed to convert from in the first half.
64 minGOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-2 LEICESTER CITY (ISLAM SLIMANI)
65 minLeicester double their lead through Slimani, who latched on to an Andy King through-ball and rounded Eastwood before rolling the ball into an empty net. A well-worked goal from the visitors and they can surely look forward to round three.
67 minGOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 0-3 LEICESTER CITY (ISLAM SLIMANI)
68 minLeicester have been superb over the past 12 minutes or so. Gray comes close to bagging his second, only for Eastwood to lift the ball over the ball at full stretch. Slimani fared better from the next attacking move, converting from a Gray cross at the back post.
70 minSHEFFIELD UNITED SUBS! A double change for the hosts after that third Leicester goal, as Basham and Coutts come on for Wright and Baldock. Game over now and simply a case of the Championship side keeping the scoreline down.
72 minOpportunities at both ends as substitute Coutts is denied before Chilwell's shot deflects wide. Shakespeare may opt to keep Mahrez and Vardy in reserve with the victory in the bag as we enter the final 18 minutes or so of this second-round tie.
74 minGOAL DISALLOWED! Islam Slimani is wrongly denied a hat-trick by the offside flag. Wilfred Ndidi turns defence into attack by squaring the ball for his teammate inside the box, but the celebrations were cut short by the officials.
76 minLEICESTER CITY SUB! Here comes that first Leicester alteration - Ndidi, who has put in a good shift, being replaced by Mendy for the final stages of the match. Mahrez and Vardy still standing by in case they are needed.
78 minThe match has calmed down a little over the past five minutes or so. It has been an entertaining contest on the whole, but those second and third Leicester goals have killed United off and it is now a case of going through the motions.
80 minCredit to the home side as they are refusing to give up, desperately looking for one goal to restore just a little hope. Looking increasingly unlikely though and there was nearly a fourth for Leicester, with Gray's goalbound shot being blocked aside.
82 minSHEFFIELD UNITED SUB! Harry Maguire is given a standing ovation by home supporters as he is taken off with eight minutes to go. Josh Knight comes on in his place for some first-team experience, leaving Leicester with one change available to make.
83 minGOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-3 LEICESTER CITY (CAOLOAN LAVERY)
84 minThis has made things a little more interesting, as United bag a goal that their performance deserves. Lavery was the man who bagged it, catching Hamer out at his near post with what was surely a right-sided cross gone wrong - or right, as it turned out!
86 minCHANCE! Ahmed Musa does very well to get to the byline and pick out two-goal Slimani, who fluffs his lines in front of goal. Should have converted but he failed to pick out the target, with that possibly his final chance of the game.
88 minUnited still attacking but they have been unable to create any more chances since pulling one back. Shakespeare will be happy to hear the full-time whistle before they pull another one back, with his side still comfortable at this point.
90 minWe are into the first of four added-on minutes at Bramall Lane. Not a great deal of action at the moment, which will suit Leicester just fine as they look to see out the remainder of the match in as trouble-free manner as possible.
90+2 minSAVE! Sharp reaction stop from Eastman to deny Musa at his near post. Slimani and Musa may have done enough to force their way into Shakespeare's plans for Saturday evening's trip to face early pacesetters Manchester United.
90+4 minGOAL! SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-4 LEICESTER CITY (AHMED MUSA)
90+5 minHarsh on United, as Musa adds a fourth for Leicester by battling his way through the opposition defence and blasted into the roof of the net. Probably the biggest cheer of the night from the visiting fans, who respect the work he has put in.
90+5 minFULL TIME: SHEFFIELD UNITED 1-4 LEICESTER CITY
9.45pmLeicester City have secured their place in round three of the EFL Cup in a fairly routine manner in the end. The first half was well contested but, while the second was far from one-sided, the Foxes took their chances and netted four times to down Sheffield United - the first time they have failed to win on home soil in seven months.
9.47pmThat concludes Sports Mole's live text coverage of events at Bramall Lane. An on-the-whistle report can be found by clicking here, while all the night's other scores from this competition are right here. Thanks for joining!
